A Heart Like Hers

Luke 1:38 “Then Mary said to the angel, ‘I am the Lord’s maidservant. May it be according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her”

It’s Christmas time. The best time of year for so many reasons, not the least of which is the opportunity to discuss my favorite Biblical character, Mary. Every Christmas pageant and every nativity scene portrays the young mother as a voiceless, ethereal subject of the story, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. At the tender age of approximately 14, her activities and interests were no doubt consistent with her peers. Unlike teenage girls of modern days, she was already engaged to be married and looking forward to a life with her young beau. However, she had one thing that set her apart, not only from her peers, but from women of all time. And that was her heart. She had a heart to please God and obey Him. She would have had no idea the honor that would eventually be bestowed on her for all of time and eternity, but I guarantee you she was keenly aware of the ensuing ridicule and ostrasizm that would take place. Not only was she pregnant before marriage, but she was somehow impregnated by the Holy Spirit.

No, I submit to you that Mary was anything but voiceless. I believe she was willing to take all the ugly mockery that the people of her small community could dish. She didn’t have all the answers, she didn’t have insight into the future. She simply had a heart to obey her God. Our pastor has said for years, ‘you would be surprised how few people God really has.’ I believe I’m beginning to see the truth in that. How few of us would be willing to take a hard stand for God, in spite of difficulty and criticism. I’d like to believe I would. Truthfully, though, I say that because I know the end of the story. Mary is revered and loved for generations. God was true to His loving nature and vindicated her, elevating her public stature for all of time. I wonder if I’d stand up without knowing the result? Would you?

Whether you're wondering how an NFL family lives, or you can't imagine having a family so large, stop in and learn about how a very normal wife and mother lives her life under some very abnormal circumstances. And in the process, may you develop a desire for a deeper relationship with God in a way that doesn't threaten or intimidate.